2023 Men of the Year: Jimmy Liles

Leadership has marked the past near decade of work for Jimmy Liles with the city of Nixa. He’s worked for the municipality since 1999, rising in its Police Department ranks to be named police chief in 2014. Four years later, he became city administrator, noting his experiences in law enforcement gave him the skills and knowledge to serve in his current role.

“My heart is truly to help others and to make others better,” he says. “I have never looked at these promotions as a way to brag about my accomplishments, but rather how can I use each position I am in to help others.”

Liles recalls a conversation several years ago with a man he arrested as an example. They talked about the man’s drug addiction, family situation and life choices. It would be a year later that Liles learned of the impact the discussion had, when the man reached out to tell him at the time of his arrest he was on the verge of bankruptcy, getting a divorce and losing his kids in the process. That led him to contemplate suicide, but he credited Liles with helping him turn his life around. Today, Liles said the man is drug-free, and he and his wife have reconciled. He asked Liles to present him with a certificate of completion at a drug program graduation ceremony.

“That story has always stuck with me because it showed how we can take a few minutes out of our busy lives to show a little empathy toward others and make a positive change in someone’s life,” Liles says. “I believe and teach others that regardless of how successful we become, none of it matters if we don’t use our positions to change the lives of others.”

Assistant City Administrator Cindy Robbins says Liles has fostered an environment of innovation in public service during his tenure with the city. When Liles was police chief, the city in 2015 earned its first-ever award from the Missouri Municipal League, an honorable mention for a crime-free multihousing program. The city has since won the MML Innovation Award five times in the large cities category for a variety of city projects, such as a sensory path installation at Nixa’s Gardens at Woodfield park.

“Liles prides himself on the fact these ideas didn’t come from his brain; rather, they were ideas sourced from line-level and midlevel staff, which were then elevated by department heads and implemented by the city to great success,” Robbins says.

Noting integrity is the core of who he is, Liles says the trait is the foundation upon which trust is built and relationships are formed. He says a mentor many years ago taught him the rule of three, which is that every decision and action must be legal, moral and ethical.

“I have used this rule throughout my career and ask that all my employees follow the same rule,” he says. “When I hire a new employee, I start with this foundation during the onboarding process. If what they do is legal, moral and ethical, I will stand behind them 100%.”

Liles says he has capitalized on opportunities to serve the community throughout his career. He currently is a board member for Christian County Emergency Services, Community Foundation of the Ozarks Inc., Nixa Community Foundation and Show Me Christian County.